1st Year

Fall Semester:

GBS 707 – Basic Biochemistry (mid-August through mid-September). This course will provide students a rigorous background in the principles of biological chemistry, including the application of these principles to research protocols and performance.

GBS 708 – Basic Genetics (mid-September through mid-October). This course will provide students with a strong foundation in basic genetics and basic molecular biology so that students are able to apply and understand fundamentals in their lab research.

GBS 709 – Basic Biological Organization (mid-October through mid-November). This course will provide students exposure to the fundamentals of basic cell biology and build a foundation of knowledge that will be needed as the student progresses along the scientific path.

GBS 724 – Principles of Genetics (mid-November through mid-December). This course will cover recessive, dominant, X-linked, and mitochondrial inheritance, as well as basic cytogenetics, and chromosome abnormalities. Course required for first year GBS GGB theme students and offered to upper-level students as advanced course.

Spring Semester:

GBS 720 – Genomic Structure/Function (January). This course covers a wide variety of topics, including genetic variation and polymorphisms, alternative splicing, microRNAs, and novel sequencing and microarray technologies. GBS 722 – Bioinformatics (February). This course covers a wide variety of different bioinformatics applications, which will be taught through use of available on-line bioinformatics resources. The topics covered will include: introductions to large-scale, generic databases; sequence analysis systems; multiple sequence analysis; gene identification in DNA; and an introduction to the Human Genome Project.

GBS 723 – Model Systems for Genetic Analysis (March). This course provides students with an in-depth knowledge of the different animal models used for analyses of gene function and genetic pathways topics include transgenic and knockout mouse technologies and strategies, large scale genetic screens in C. elegans and Drosophila, and modeling human genetic diseases in zebrafish.

GBS 746 -- Epigenetics (April). Students will learn of changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence.

Lab Rotations:

1stYear Students do three 10-week lab rotations

Students in the Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics theme are required to complete three 10-week rotations in different laboratories.

The main objectives of rotations are to provide students with an opportunity:

To meet and work with GGB faculty before choosing a thesis mentor

To observe approaches to scientific research and learn techniques other than the ones students will be exposed to in their dissertation research

Rotations will start after the student has discussed this possibility with the GGB faculty member of their choice and approval of the theme director.